New Years Challenge

Drop me an email at joepalmer01@yahoo.com

or through facebook.

Overcoming Discouragement

One of the obstacles we face in life regardless of what we do is discouragement.   Just think about the areas of our life that discouragement can affect.

• Learning to play an instrument.
• Finishing your education.
• Completing a project.
• Our job.
• We can get discouraged about a church, or a civic club we belong to.

Losing weight and getting in shape is one of the hardest things to do.  Consider just a few of the things that can make these tasks discouraging.

• It requires us to change our habits of eating and exercise.  
• It takes a long time.
• Sometimes the results are slow.
• Sometimes there are setbacks.
• We know there will be obstacles.
• Sometimes people may discourage us.

So today I want to ask the question to you as a reader, "How do you handle discouragement?"  Hopefully you are not answering going to the fridge and getting a bowl of Bluebell Ice Cream.  Tomorrow.  I'll give you some of my suggestions.  

Challenge # 2 - THE GOAL

This week Flo and I started challenge number 2.  My goal is to lose 30 more pounds.  If I accomplish this goal several significant milestones will be broken.

1. I will first of all break into the range of overweight.  Now I am officially obese.
2. I will next break below 200.  I started my challenge at 228 so.  I am shooting for 198.

In my first challenge I reversed 7 years of weight gain in 90 days and got off one blood pressure medications.  If I make to 198, I will be at a weight that was last seen in my 20's.  I have no memory of when I was last below 200.  I do remember being at 210 when I was at my first church in Ridgely, Tennessee.

If I do this I will also have to buy a complete new wardrobe.  Not a bad problem to have.

Flo's challenge is to lose another 20 pounds. If she meets that goal she will be at the weight she was when we started dating.  So that would be awesome.

I lost 2 pounds so far in only 2 days so that is awesome.  Flo hasn't weighed in yet but we  will keep you posted.  

90 Day Results

Joe lost 40 Pounds and 12 inches.

Flo lost 20 pounds and 19 inches.

My Trip to the Chinese Buffett

Well it finally happened after two months and three weeks I went to a Chinese Buffet.  One of my rules in doing the Body by Vi challenge is I will not turn down invitations to go out and eat when it related to socializing for work.  I have to make a lifestyle change which includes eating out.

I said in a previous blog that that the "Hong Kong" Chinese Buffet has put on half of my extra weight in the past two years.  So Chinese is one of my weaknesses.

How does Body By Vi work?  You replace two meals a day with a shake. But which meals? It allows you to eat any meal you want.  I normally eat supper, but the plan is flexible.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.  This morning I weighed in and no change in my weight.  So what is so great about that?  It means I am not rebounding.  I am learning how to eat anything, anywhere, and not overeat.

WHAT DID I EAT?  I at a generous helping of sushi and some boiled shrimp. I sampled some of my favorites but didn't gorge on them.

YOU CAN DO IT.  I hope this blog encourages you if you have given up on losing weight that you can do it. Being a party of the Body by Vi group has allowed me to meet lots of people that have overcome many obstacles to lose weight. So if you have questions just ask.

Joe and Flo

Week 12 Report

Well this is the beginning of the last week of my first 90 day challenge. I am down over 38 pounds. Flo is down 19.  We are both very happy with our results.

For the past three weeks I have worn clothes to church that I haven't worn in a long time. I have a friend coming in a few months and he isn't going to recognize me because I am going on another challenge.  I already have my goal picked out and I am so excited about reaching it.

230 - I am down to 230.  I started at 268.  I am down 14% of my body weight.  I get positive encouragement all the time.  But most of all in my mind I know I am doing the right thing.  My health is improving.  The nutrition is great.

So join the challenge and let's do it together.

http://leannapalmer.bodybyvi.com/

Week 11 Report

Flo and I are at week 11 and the program has been awesome.

Joe:  I am down 34 pounds.  I lost 2.5 pounds this week. I have already surpassed my goal of 30 pounds.  Plus I have reaped the rewards of this program in many ways.

1.  Improved health including lowering my blood pressure and getting off of one medication.

2. Improved energy and stamina.  I just feel better.

3.  I am fitting back into many of my favorite old clothes.  I look better.

Flo: is down 18 pounds.

1. She looks marvelous.

2.  She looks really marvelous.

3. She looks really, really, really marvelous.

The great things is we did this in the easiest most painless way possible.  You can't believe how good a Vi Shake is.

If you want to try one just leave me a message here and we will either mail it to you or bring it to you in person.

Joe Palmer

Third of the Way to the Goal

This week I hit another milestone. I am a third of the way to my ultimate weight loss goal.  I have lost 33 pounds 12 percent of my original body weight is now gone.  I feel great.  My health is improving and I really don't miss my old life too much.  Sure I miss some things that I don't eat but I love the things I do eat, and I love my Vi Shape shakes.  My Neuro energy and mind charging drinks and not carrying around 33 pounds all the time.

My ultimate goal is to lose 100 pounds.  I had hoped to lose it in 3 challenges.  Now I feel it will take me four to do it.  I have gone from 268.3 pounds to 235.2 pounds in less than 11 weeks.

My son told me yesterday that he thinks I have a better attitude now too.  Well maybe I do.  It is easy to be more optimistic when you feel better physically.

Being a third of the way is exciting but it is also a reminder of how far there is to go.  I feel thinner but the chart still says I am obese.  I have to get to 210 pounds before I pass from obese to overweight.  At about 174 I go from overweight to normal.  My goal of getting to 168 is simply because A) it is in the normal range and B) it is a nice round number.

What if I don't make it.  Well, I will.  But my motivation behind my goal will cause me to keep altering and defining my goals and ultimately to set new goals.  My motivation is to have a healthier body so that I can serve God better, and longer while on this earth. I'm not a third of the way to that goal.  I have already reached that goal and can continue to improve in that as long as I keep my focus on doing the right things in my spiritual life and my daily physical life.

I hope you will set some goals and work to reach them. Think about your motivation too.  Be sure you are doing the right thing for the right reason. That will help you when you complete your goals and as you refocus you goals from time to time.

Joe and Flo

Diet Vs. Exercise

VS.

I read the article linked below with a great deal of interest in regards to what help the most diet and exercise.  I encourage you to read it and apply it to your weight loss and fitness goals.  I have a few additional comments below.    

Diet Vs Exercise

I say if are able to exercise, diet and exercise are the best route.  They both help. Exercise help you burn calories and tone up your body.  Diet helps us fuel our body and giving it the right fuel matters.

This article gives great hope to people who are not physically able to exercise because of the pain their body is in.  I can personally let you talk to two people who have been on Body by Vi and lost weight and could not exercise. One is in a wheelchair and has lost over 30 pounds. One has had knee surgery and lost 20 pounds and isn't even finished with the first 90 days.

In regards to your diet.  I can tell you first hand what a pre-measured, good tasting, nutritionally balanced meal can do for your diet. 

I have lost 33 pounds

Flo has lost 17.4 

We did this with a minimal amount of exercise.  Yes we exercise, mostly walk, when we can but we are no gym rats.

So don't despair if you can't or don't like to exercise. Get on the Challenge.

http://leannapalmer.myvi.net/

Another one Drops 10%

Today Flo is down 10 % of her original body weight.  This is a really big milestone.  She is losing weight  every week.  Her weight has dropped 17 pounds. Joe is now down 11.5 percent of his body weight. 

What can losing 10% mean.

A Healthier Heart.  -  I don't have issues with my heart but heart disease is a lead killer among women.  So keeping my heart healthy is important.

Lower risk of Diabetes - Diabetes is a silent killer.  My weight loss means I am lowering my risks.  As you know diabetes is one of those diseases that compounds the problems with so many other areas.  I want to avoid it.

A Better Nights Sleep -  I don't have this issue that I know of but losing weight helps sleep apnea.  So lose weight and sleep great.

Joint Health -  I have knee problems and while they aren't giving me a lot of problems now every pounds I take off my knees helps them work better, longer, and with less pain.  This is very important since I work all day on my feet.

Lower risk of Cancer - All the research shows that lowering our body fat decreases our cancer risk.  While losing weight won't guarantee you don't get cancer it will help your body fight disease and lower your risk of getting cancer.

More Energy - Okay so it is time to go grocery shopping. Here is your list.

5 pound bag of flour
4 pound bag of sugar
3 pound package of hamburger meat
1 pound of cheese,
1 pound of frozen corn
1 pound of dried pinto beans
Two 8 ounce tubs of sour cream
a pound of butter. 

Now go carry that from the closest grocery store to your home.  If that makes you tired recognize that is amount of weight I am NOT carrying on my body today, that I was 10 weeks ago.  Now do you think I have more energy?

So do you want to try, "Body by Vi?"

Sign up here

Join Joe and Flo on the Challenge

7 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism

I am going into week 10 and my weight loss has slowed a little bit.  Now honestly it is at a very healthy  1.5 pounds per week.  But we all want to keep that weight loss going.  So I started to go back and look at how can I increase my metabolism.   Today I want to share a few of the tips I learned that I think I can apply.

1. Eat Breakfast - If you sleep eight hours and then skip breakfast you are telling your body that food is not available.  So eat.   This is great for me because I always start the day with a Body by Vi shake.  

2. Add in B Vitamins -  B Vitamins are supposed to help your body in lots of way but research shows they help our metabolism.  Wow, that is great news for me because "Neuro" which is included in the transformation kit is loaded with B6 and B12.  I usually have one of those about 10:00 A.M. every day.

3. Eat small meals often - I have been trying to do that too.  I try to eat about 5 times a day but I am trying not to eat late in the evening.  Eating small meals helps by keeping your body from shutting down because it thinks you are starving.

4. Include protein in every meal - I use shakes twice a day.  I eat peanuts and almonds for snacks. I always have lean fish or chicken for dinner.  Protein fuels your body and takes more energy to digest than carbs.

5. Green Tea and Coffee -  Caffeine is supposed to help our metabolism by increasing our energy. I don't do much caffeine because it affects my blood pressure. I can start adding decaf green tea to my diet.  I was drinking a lot of green tea and I have stopped drinking it lately. Green tea has compounds called phenols that have great thermogenic properties beyond that explained by its caffeine content.

6. Eat more hot pepper - Peppers contain the bioactive ingredient capsaicin, which not only makes them spicy hot, but also doubles energy expenditure for 3 hours after a meal.  love hot food, but I haven't been eating a lot of food with cayenne or jalapeno lately.  So starting tomorrow I am going to add some heat to my diet.

7.  Exercise - The best way to exercise turns out to be endurance with bursts of intense exercise.  Strength training to add muscle also helps.  So I need to walk with shorts sprints and do some weight training.

JOE AND FLO REPORT

FLO is down 17 pounds

JOE is down 31 Pounds.

Today we start week 11 on our journey.  Wish us luck. If you want to join us...

http://Nicegirl.bodybyvi.com/challenge

10 Reason My Diet is Working

10 Reasons My Diet is Working

Previously i posted  10 Diets That Don't Work.  Today I want to clarify why the diet Flo and I are doing doesn't have any of those weaknesses.

1.  I Eat -  Some people think I am on a Protein Shake Diet.  Yes I do drink my Body By Vi shakes but I eat real food too.

2. I Eat Often - I concentrate on eating so I don't get hungry.  I eat about 5 times a day.  I always start with a shake in the morning.  I have a Neuro and some nuts about 10.  A small lunch of a shake for lunch. I eat something in the afternoon, maybe some nuts with water.  I eat healthy for dinner.  I vary this routine based on my schedule.  

3.  I am Not on a Fad Diet -  It is a fad if I can't sustain it. My intention is to sustain this diet for many years if not the rest of my life. 

4. I Exericise - I am not a fanatic but I am trying to get out and walk and move my body.  It don't matter what you do, just do something.

5. I Watch What I Eat - I don't go to any dinner invitation too hungry. Neuro which is a Visalus product really helps my hunger.  I might drink some water or even a shake a couple hours before going out to eat, or to a dinner party.  I plan how I am going to eat.  I don't deprive myself of everything, but I am careful.

6. I Follow My Plan Every Day - I haven't had fried food, candy, hamburgers or french fries in 9 weeks.   I followed my diet on vacation, at church, when I am eating out.  My diet is not just a diet it is a lifestyle.

In my last post I asked you these questions.

• Is the plan to complicated to follow?               NO
• Is it flexible enough for me to adjust to situations in my life?    YES
• Is it boring or just too restrictive?                      NO
• Will I stick with it for the long term?             YES   

7. I Stopped Procrastinating -  I don't let anything keep me off my plan.  Nor do I say no to living my life.  I do always find a way to stay on the plan and I am no longer procrastinating.

8.  The Yummy Diet - Vi shakes are Yummy!!!  Here are my favorites so far.

Chocolate Peanut Butter - Dark Chocolate, Chocolate sugar free pudding mix, skim milk, ice and Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter.

Blueberry - Blueberries frozen, Skim milk, and Ice.

Banana - Use a 1/2 or a whole Banana with skim milk and ice.  Adding blueberries is great too. for Blueberry/Banana. 

Cheesecake - Use Sugar free Cheesecake pudding mix and add cherries, or Strawberries with ice and skim milk

If you prefer you can use soy milk in any of the above.

9.  My diet includes a Maintenance Program - It is called the Balance Kit and it will be exactly what I need to maintain my weight.  

10. I Stopped Doing Nothing -  If you are ready to start...

SIGN UP HERE

http://Nicegirl.bodybyvi.com/challenge

10 Diets That Don't Work

10 Diets That Don't Work

1.  Eating Nothing -  Yes you will lose weight but you will also die.  It is called starvation and it is not any more healthy than stuffing your face with too much food.

2. Eating Next to Nothing -  If you eat too little you will shut down your metabolism and ruin your diet. Ask any registered dietician and they will tell you this is a fact.

3. Fad Diets -  Again some of the diets will help you lose weight but if you can't adapt it to real life it won't make a lasting impact.

4. Exercise Alone - Yes exercise is great, but exercise alone won't give most people the weight loss they want.   You can exercise and still maintain excess weight by increasing your calories.

5. Diet Alone - Okay I do know people that have lost weight without exercise but to optimize our health we all need some exercise.  So even though I know you can argue with this one. I think we should commit to some exercise if we can do it.

6. The Diet You Don't Follow - It doesn't help to have a great plan of how you are going to eat if you don't follow the plan.  Consider these points.

• Is the plan to complicated to follow?
• Is it flexible enough for me to adjust to situations in my life?
• Is it boring or just too restrictive?
• Will I stick with it for the long term?

7. The Procrastinators Diet - I stayed on this diet for years and gained lots of weight on it.  I'd tell myself that I'd diet after vacation, or some other big event was over.  I started diets and then ate poorly after someone invited me out to lunch.  I had lots of excuses and big plans to start next week.

8.  The Yucky Diet - It may be healthy but if it doesn't taste good most of us can't stay with it very long.  So whatever you do find something that lets you eat some foods that you like.  Now understand I  realize that to lose weight we have to give up eating certain food, or at least eating them in large quantities. 

9.  The Diet that doesn't include a Maintenance Program - When the diet is over you have to have a plan.  All the research shows that losing weight is only half the problem.  Keeping it off is the hard part.

10. Doing Nothing -  I know this one sounds stupid but lots of people want to lose weight but they simply are sitting there wishing they would lose weight and won't actually commit to any type of real change. So if you are ready for  a change....

SIGN UP HERE

http://Nicegirl.bodybyvi.com/challenge

Think Yourself Thin

You are what you eat...

But you eat the way you think.

For years I have eaten like a fat man, but I also thought like a fat man.  When I went out to eat I thought about value, and value meant the quantity of food I could get for my money. Sure I wanted quality but quantity mattered too.

Since starting the challenge I have been working on changing my habits including my thinking.

I think about nutrition.

I think about my health.

I think about what should I eat, not just what do I want to eat.

I think about quality not quantity.

Learning to eat right is hard but learning to think right is the answer.  I am not on a diet.  Yes I have a weight loss goal.  But I am working on adopting a different attitude toward food.  We eat for a lot of bad reasons.

Sometimes we eat because we are sad.

Sometimes because we are happy.

Sometimes we eat as a reward.

Sometimes we eat because we are tired.

A lot of times we eat because we are depressed. Have you ever heard the term "comfort food."

So if you want to change you weight, and change your waist, change your mind.


Joe and Flo Report.

Today I am down 30 pounds.

Flo is over 16 pounds.


CHALLENGE PARTY

We will have a Challenge Party Thursday night in FWB if you want to come message me and I will get you the details.

Joe and Flo

Week 9

Flo and I just completed week 9. I weighed in at 239 pounds even that means I have lost 29.3 pounds.  Flo is  down 16 pounds.  We are feeling awesome about the Body By Vi transformation.

I know I have said this many times but this is the easiest thing I have ever done to lose weight.  So I hope if you have been sitting on the sidelines thinking I need to lose a few pounds you will jump in and join us.

LOSING INCHES - This week was a tough week for me losing weight.  I only lost 1.3 pounds.  Now really that is a good week.  I realize that my expectations are just too high.  I continue to see signs that I am losing inches.  In the past two weeks I started wearing a belt I couldn't even get on. Now it is on the second notch.  My biggest belt is now in the trash it won't fit any more.  I had one belt that I was on the last hole to the end, now I am on the last hole I can tighten it up to. I can also tell in my shirts.  I am wearing shirts and can tell they are getting loser on me.

FLO -  My girl is looking good.  She is starting to shed more pounds too.  She is knocking on the door of losing 10% of her body weight.   This week we are both starting a new exercise program.  We are going to start doing some light weight training to build muscle and shed pounds.  She signed up to promote the challenge so if you want to join please see her or send us a message through Facebook or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

BLOOD PRESSURE - My blood pressure is doing great.  It is down in the rage below 120 over 80.  So hopefully in another 10 pounds we will see it drop more and I can get off more of the meds.

Well  I hope you have a great week.  We have four weeks of our first challenge left.  We are trying to kick it into high gear and sprint to the finish.  You all know how losing weight late in a diet can be harder.  That is just because you are really kicking off the real body fat.  I know we can do it.

I'd love to hear your comments or questions. Just leave message for me and I'll respond.

Joe and Flo

Self Awareness

Self awareness is a big part of weight loss.  There are several steps I have discovered in my weight loss journey.  It is important to discover what works and try to duplicate it every day.

1.  You have to know what you are eating.  At first that means get a program like Lose it or My Fitness Pal for your smart phone or just get a little notebook or diary and write it down.  You have to also know what is in what you are eating. You have to look up calories. You need to know not guess the portion sizes.  So a scale helps or buys  individually portioned foods.

2.  You have to eat the right kinds of foods.  For me that means not under-eating or over-eating.  I need lean protein.  I need to be aware of my calories.  I need to be aware of my salt content.  I need to eat vegetables and fruits that provide fiber.  Also bananas seem to help me lose weight.

3. Drink lots of water.  This week I have only lost a pound so far.  Now a pound is a pound but I have been losing around 3 pounds a week. This is what I feel like I have been missing this week.  I have been drinking my shakes. This week I drank some coffee in the mornings, something I haven't been doing a lot lately.  Coffee actually dehydrates you.  Although it is supposed to boost your metabolism, it also creates additional hunger pains because of the dehydration.   I feel like I have sabotaged myself by not drinking the water they way I had been.

Today I am trying to correct this.  I'll let you know the results tomorrow.

Joe and Flo

The Payoff

Almost everything we do is about looking for a payoff.

We go to work to get paid.

We go to the gym to change our body.

We take vitamins for health benefits.

Over the past two months I have seen  lots of payoffs to my diet using "Body by Vi."

New Clothes - I have been able to go shopping in my closet and been able to wear lots of my old clothes.  Shopping for free is fun.

Meeting Those Small  Goals -  It has been really encouraging to meet those small goals.

Compliments - Wow who doesn't like a compliment that you are looking good.  Even guys like that.

This week I had the greatest pay off of all: Improved Health.  Today I go to the doctor to get my blood pressure meds lowered.  I am now down 28.7 pounds.  Flo is down 15 pounds. I had no idea that my health would show the benefits so quickly.  This is just after two months.  My own personal opinion is that the health benefits of these products, the good nutrition that my body is getting is helping my overall health.

So two months ago you were probably thinking, "I need to do something about my health."  Two months ago I did something. I am not looking back.  I hope you will join us.

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Challenge Party

Flo is going to host her first challenge party as a Visalus promoter Thursday at 7:00 P.M.  at 352 Jamaica Way.  I hope you will come and learn about these great products and taste them.

My Transformation Kit

THE TRANSFORMATION KIT

 This is the kit I get every month.  I love all the products in the kit.  All I can tell you is it has worked.  I hop you will give it a try.

This is the basic eating plan I have been following.  Some days I alter what I eat. That is one of the great things about the products and the plan it is so flexible.

Here is where you can get more information or join the challenge.

Join the Challenge

I hope you will join us. You won't be sorry.

Joe and Flo

Weight Loss Tips

I wanted to share a few of my tips for losing weight. This doesn't mean I am expert.  These are just things that are working for me and that I want to remind myself to keep doing.

1.  Be Accountable - Now I did that by writing this blog, but you can't do it however you like.   Failing to be accountable often leads to failure.

2.  Have a Buddy - It is great to have a weight loss buddy on the plan with you. Flo and I have been able to support each other on the journey.  We are accountable to each other be we are also  doing this together and to be encouragers.

3.  Drink lots of Water - I love a product made a Visulus called Neuro which I add to my water.  I also try to drink green tea.  Water helps you feel full.  It helps your body get rid of fat.  Often times we think we are hungry when we are really thirst.  Don't forget that coffee can actually dehydrate you.

4. Don't get Hungry - Now that doesn't mean give into every craving.  Cravings and hunger are different.  We sometimes eat because we are bored, sleepy, or depressed.  So be aware of the many things that you may associate with hunger that are not related to your body needing food.  I encourage you to start your day with a Body by Vi shake and mid morning have a handful of nuts and a big glass of water or green tea.  I usually eat a lite lunch like a salad with protein and a light dressing.  Have a shake mid afternoon and a light dinner.    Don't be afraid to eat the right foods often. Eating can actually help you lose weight.

5. Track your Food - I recommend a food diary especially if you are having trouble losing weight.  A diary will help you identify how many calories you are eating.  What food combinations are working for you. It will help you identify what is going on when you diet plateaus.  It will help you recognize that you are eating more than you think.  It will make you acknowledge those small amounts of food you put in your mouth that you may not be counting. On average people who track their food lose twice the weight of those who don't.

6.  Have an exit strategy - As I have mentioned I have been on some crazy eating plans and have always  Yo-Yoed when I got off the eating plan.  So what are you going to do, when you stop doing what you are doing?  The best exit strategy is one that phases out naturally but not completely. I don't plan to ever stop Body by Vi.  I will continue to use the shakes because they taste good, they are healthy, and they will help me maintain my weight.

Joe and Flo

So do you want to try, "Body by Vi?"

Sign up here

Join Joe and Flo on the Challenge

All you got to lose is weight.

What Losing 10% Means

Today I am down 10 % of my original body weight.  This is a really big milestone.  I feel so much better.  I am losing a little weight almost every day.  My weight has dropped 27 pounds.

Flo is now down 13 pounds. Her pounds are dropping slower but her inches are coming off.  She hasn't hit the 10% mark yet but she will get there soon.

As I have lost weight I have kept little goals in mind: 5 pounds, 10, pounds, breaking 250, down 10%.  This helps me keep focused on the next few pounds and not losing the next 50 pounds I need to lose.

What can losing 10 % mean.

A Healthier Heart.  -  I have had a few episodes which have caused me concern over my heart.  I know I have taken a lot of stress off my heart. It has already said "Thank You" by lowering my blood pressure numbers to normal.

Lower risk of Diabetes - Diabetes runs in my family.  My weight loss means I am lowering my risks.  As you know diabetes is one of those diseases that compounds the problems with so many other areas.  I want to avoid it.

A Better Nights Sleep -  I don't have this issue that I know of but losing weight helps sleep apnea.  So lose weight and sleep great.

Joint Health -  I have knee problems and while they aren't giving me a lot of problems now every pounds I take off my knees helps them work better, longer, and with less pain.

Lower risk of Cancer - All the research shows that lowering our body fat decreases our cancer risk.  While losing weight won't guarantee you don't get cancer it will help your body fight disease and lower your risk of getting cancer.

More Energy - Okay so it is time to go grocery shopping. Here is your list.

10 pounds bag of potatoes
5 pound bag of flour
4 pound bag of sugar
3 pound package of hamburger meat
1 pound of cheese,
1 pound of frozen corn
1 pound of dried pinto beans
Two 8 ounce tubs of sour cream
a pound of butter.

Now go carry that from the closest grocery store to your home.  If that makes you tired recognize that is amount of weight I am NOT carrying on my body today, that I was 7 weeks ago.  Now do you think I have more energy?

So do you want to try, "Body by Vi?"

Sign up here

Join Joe and Flo on the Challenge

All you got to lose is weight.

Excuses

I just wanted to share one quick thought this morning.  I made lots of excuses before I started "Body by Vi."

1. I wasn't sure if it would work?
2. It was too expensive.
3. I had a trip... an event.... something else coming up and I'd start after that

Excuses are a dime a dozen and one is as good as another.

7 weeks ago I took the plunge and today I am 27 pounds lighter.

Joe and Flo

Diet or LIfe Change?

I've been on lots of diets. This time I am on a "Life Change."  Whats the difference?

DIET  - A diet is when you change the way you eat for a specified period of time in order to achieve a goal.  

LIFE CHANGE - A life change is when you change the way you eat in order to live and be healthier.

I have made Body By Vi a life change for me.  Someone may be saying how can you do that.  Let  me share my plan and some misconceptions.

MISCONCEPTIONS

First I don't just eat shakes.  I eat one or two meals a day of regular food.  I also eat snacks.

Second, I don't prohibit myself from eating anything or anywhere.  There are some things I avoid.  I avoid bread.  I avoid eating at buffets.  I avoid excess sugar. I avoid soda, but do drink some diet soda.  Now these are the things that are part of my life change.  I intend to add them back into my eating plan but in limited amounts.

MY LIFE CHANGE PLAN

• Body By Vi has worked for me.  I have as of today lost 25 pounds and lowered my blood pressure.  I feel better and have more energy. Flo has lost 12 pounds and 10 inches off her waist.

• I plan to do up to three challenges and lose 100 pounds. That will put me in a healthy weight.  I also intend to become more physically fit starting with walking and increasing up to more strenuous types of exercise.  I am already running a little.

• When I reach my goal I will drop down to using the shakes for meal substitutes and snacks.

• Anytime I gain more than 10 pounds I will start another challenge until I lose that ten pounds.  

WHY


Now I have dome some diets that where hard to fit into my life.  Atkins was one.  I know it works for some people but it is so restrictive that it was hard for me.

I also did the "Master Cleanse." In that one I drank lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup for 10 days.

Now that I found Vi shakes I know I can do this for life.

• They taste great.

• They have so much variety.  There are hundreds of recipes not just two flavors.

• I can eat them anytime and anywhere.  

• I can take them on the road.

So why would I ever stop?



BODY BY VI CHALLENGE PARTY

Tuesday, July 10 at 7:00 P.M. 

352 Jamaica Way.

We would love to have you come explore the many benefits of the challenge.  Taste some of my favorite shakes and enjoy a good time together.

Better Health

A lot of time the reason for our diet is looking better, or fitting back into your old favorite pair of jeans.  Yesterday I got some good news.  In fact it was better news than those superficial things.

My daughter took my blood pressure and found that is was way down in the normal range.  It was 120/80.  That is ideal.  Now I am still on meds but my pressures have been high.  I am starting to see the positive health benefits of losing weight and walking.

I feel very confident that by the end of the 90 Day Challenge I'll be off of my medications.

What is that worth?



BODY BY VI CHALLENGE PARTY

Monday, July 9 at 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday, July 10 at 7:00 P.M.

352 Jamaica Way.

We would love to have you come explore the many benefits of the challenge.  Taste some of my favorite shakes and enjoy a good time together.

Joe and Flo

Challenge Party

Okay for those of you who know me and Flo you know this works.  Papo and Sharon asked us to hold a Challenge party.  We want all our friends to learn about the Body by Vi challenge.  It is actually much more than a shake you drink.  So we are having two Challenge parties or Tasting parties at our house Monday night and Tuesday night July 9, and 10 at 7:00 P.M.

You don't have to RSVP but doing so through through Facebook would be great.  This isn't going to be something to pressure you just information.  I am so thankful for what this has done for me. Just in case you don't know, I have now lost almost 25 pounds in 7 weeks.  My blood pressure is back to normal and I am wearing clothes I haven't seen in years.

If that isn't enough I get my products for free and you can too. So come learn, enjoy, and just keep an open mind.  It also has an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee.

THE FLO REPORT

I (Joe) do most of the writing on this blog, because I am a writer.  Therefore most of the blog has been about me. Last night we went to our first "Challenge Party." At the part we learned that a lot of women have their weight loss show up in inches not pounds.

So, last night we were curious and we went back and measured FLO started the challenge at 43 / 46 / 46.  Now I was sworn not to reveal those numbers when we started but I have permission now.  Today she measure 41 / 36 / 43.  That was so dramatic that we went back and remeasured. In fact she questioned in we got that 46 right because that meant her hips were equal to her bottom. I then went back and showed my dear wife her before picture.                                                                                      

              BEFORE                                                                        AFTER

We noted how much bigger her stomach was when she started.  She had been noticing how her clothes were fitting better and her figure was coming back. But seeing was believing.

Now, my wife is a beauty.  I know she hates talking about this as most do and frankly most don't or won't talk about such things except with their closest girlfriend.  But the numbers don't lie.

WHY INCHES NOT POUNDS?  I am very much so a why person.  I like to tear things apart and see what makes them work. The reason women often lose inches not pounds is most women have less muscle mass than men and the shakes promote lean muscle growth which mean women gain muscle weight and lose fat weight.  The growth of the muscle mass takes the place of the loss of some of the fat weight.  So your figure shows more of the results, than does your scales. 

 Muscle weight means you are going to keep you metabolism up and sustain your weight loss.

So ladies do you want to drop some inches?

Halfway Report With Pictures

I still have a long way to go.

After 45 days I have lost 23 pounds.

Let's go Outback

Tonight we went out for a celebration dinner with some friends to Outback. Before we left Flo asked, "Can we eat at Outback?" I said, "Yes, we are going to."  Once again we successfully navigated the restaurant trap.

Flo ordered a Mahi Mahi dinner which came with mixed veggies, rice and a salad.  She left the rice because she doesn't really like rice much.

Joe ordered a 6 oz sirloin with a salad and broccoli.

We both skipped the bread and the "Bloomin onion."  We enjoyed the meal were full and satisfied.  Now I can't say that I didn't want to eat that "Bloomin onion" or that I didn't want to order a big rib eye.  But life is about choices.

To be successful at any venture you have to learn to say NO to some things so you can say YES to other things.

I said NO to the Bloomin Onion and YES to a slimmer body.

I said NO to the Ice Cream and YES to a life without diabetes.

I said No to the rib eye steak with high fat content and YES to a healthy lean choice.

I said NO to the greasy french fries and YES to a green veggie.

I said NO to the bread and YES to a proper nutrition.

You have to be aware that those one night celebrations where you let your guard down and indulge are killing your diet. It is so easy to say, "It's just one meal."   I had no guilt going to Outback.   But I knew when I walked in that door,  I was going to find a healthy way to enjoy my meal and not turn the celebration into a trap that ended my weight loss.

One of the things that has helped me is writing about my struggles and being accountable.   I don't care how you do ti, but accountability is important.

A second thing is the 90 day challenge.  I am working to change my habits and to reach my goals. I have a deadline.  Goals are important.  You can't keep procrastinating your health. You have to start eating right and keep eating right.  But you have to do something that you can do in the real world.

Joe and Flo

The Post Vacation Blues?

Many a person seeking weight loss has had to dread the scales after vacation.  Can anyone say they have gone on vacation and lost weight?

Well Joe and Flo can!!!

We both lost.

Joe down .2 pounds

Flo down .9 pounds.

I lost 3.7 pounds this week.  I am down 21.6 pounds in six weeks.  A little more than 3.5 pounds per week.  Flo is down 12 pounds in 6 weeks.



So what is the secret?  No secret.  We just stayed on our plan.

As I have said many times this eating plan is so flexible.  Most days we had two shakes. Some we had 2 meals and 1 shake, other days we had two meals and two shakes.  We ate at a buffet twice,  Cracker Barrel twice, and had sushi twice.

We did limit our intake and tried to make good choices. We splurged a little here and there.  We did get to exercise by walking several days.

It was also a very spiritually uplifting trip.  It was great to be out and have some time alone with my wife.  It is good to be home and to not dread the scale.  We are only a few days away from the mid point of our 90 day journey. I am hoping to hit 25 pounds by that time.  Sometimes after a vacation you lose weight rapidly because your body adjusts back to a more consistent schedule and you miss all the sodium in restaurant food.

Joe and Flo

Share Your Thoughts Sunday - Vacation ideas

Sunday I take the day off from writing most of the time but I like to hear back from you. Since I am in Orlando the vacation capital of  Florida I'd like to ask you to share your thoughts about vacations.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Share a money saving travel tip.

If you could go one place in the world where would it be?


Looking forward to you comments.

Joe and Flo

How to Beat a Buffet

How to Beat a Buffet

Oh Buffets, you are the curse of humanity and the plague of all fat people.  I can likely contribute 25% of my recent weight gain to the Hong Kong Chinese restaurant in Niceville, Florida.  In fact it is on my list of places to go on my cheat day.

Today on vacation I ate at a buffet.  I was nervous as a cat in room full of rocking chairs going into that restaurant.  I am much like the late W.C. Fields who said, "I can resist anything except temptation."

So how did I do?  I would give myself a "B".

This restaurant had a nice salad bar which I got a full salad plate full of goodies, mostly dark green lettuce. I used a fairly light dressing.  Added turkey for protein, and a little chicken salad.  No Croutons. No Cheese.

Off the hot bar I had baked fish and a small spoonful of rice pilaf and 3 cheese stuffed tortellini.  I had a half cup of clam chowder.

Now I give myself a B because I shouldn't have gone back for the hot foods. I was really pretty full after the first salad plate. I don't give myself a lower grade because I probably ate half the food I would have normally eaten, and probably only a third of the calories.

Maybe someday I can eat at buffets and honestly fell like I don't have to overeat to just get my moneys worth.  Today was a start.

Oh, Flo stopped after one salad plate. She had a salad with one piece of grilled fish.  I would give that girl an A+.

Joe and Flo